A better way to use the Hub Groups Feature

1. 80

   JayeWisdomposted 11 years ago

   I established Groups and moved my existing (completed) hubs into appropriate groups. I understand that some of my hubs will show at the bottom of the screen for a hub from the same group. However, I believe that categorizing hubs into groups with the same or similar theme/overall topic ON THE PROFILE SCREEN would be very helpful to readers who are interested in reading all of a HP member's hubs in that group. They would be easier to find.
   
   A link after the few hubs from a group showing at the screen bottom could lead a reader to the author's profile screen, where he or she could easily find more hubs of interest in the same topic area.
   
   I seem to have read something about this before--either that HP administration WAS considering it or was NOT.
   
   At any rate, I believe it would be helpful--more so than the few hubs featured (with those of other hubbers) on a hub screen near the end of the page.  Does anyone else agree with me? If so, I'd I hope you will speak out (or "write out", to be accurate).

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      Rochelle Frankposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      At first glance, I thought it was a great idea-- especially for those of us who write about many subject/categories.
      I still think it is not bad-- but if you have many hubs on a particular subject, people may think that is ALL you write about, when they visit the top part of your profile list.
      So, ultimately, I think having your related hubs shown below a hub being viewed is probably best.

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   2. 86

      Millionaire Tipsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      They used to do it that way, and I really liked it.  There were some issues though - since I wrote on a lot of different topics, there was only room for a few topics, and HubPages would choose which topics to feature. These topics wouldn't always be the best for the season.  Also they chose a few hubs as teasers to get more info about the topic, and sometimes I wanted to feature a different hub (because it was new or didn't get enough views, etc.)
      
      Just so you know, there is a way for your readers to find your hubs by topic.  On the profile page, below the carousel, above the list of hubs, there is an arrow that says "Show all". If your reader clicks on the arrow, they get a drop down menu that lets them select a topic.  It is hard to find though and not intuitive that it does anything.

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   3. 70

      Matthew Meyerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      We have had this feature requested recently and determined not to change the way categories display on the profile at this time.
      If you click the "Show: All" under the Spotlight section on a profile, you can select the specific category to display from the list.

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      1. 80

         JayeWisdomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Once I select a specific category to display from the list, "All" no longer applies, and my other hubs are not shown. So I will not be doing this. Can you tell me WHY you determined not to change the way categories display on the profile screen after having the feature requested?  I suppose you could consider my remarks another request. I still don't think it's efficient not to separate ALL hubs on the profile screen by groups/categories. I've been around long enough to remember what it was like when they were displayed that way, and it was much better--like an index.  How does it hurt HP to display them that way? 
         
         Well, this isn't the first time I've disagreed with a HP administrative decision and probably won't be the last. I do wish HP gave members the opportunity to understand the logic behind administrative decisions (explanations). If I knew the WHY for some change or policy, I might not gripe about it. 
         
         Thanks for your response, anyway.

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2. 86

   rebekahELLEposted 11 years ago

   Hubs used to be shown in groups on the profile page, but it was changed quite a while ago.
   
   If your hubs are grouped, and linked together within the text, readers will more easily be able to click on to another similar topic rather than be led back to the profile page.  If they really want to read more of an author, most will simply click on the author avatar/link.

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   1. 80

      JayeWisdomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Am I alone in thinking that having hubs grouped by category on the Profile screen is more efficient and effective for someone visiting that screen than to have a hodgepodge list? Also, if I have six hubs that are very similar to a new hub, having to add six links is troublesome, whereas, a link to a group name (which would have all hubs within that group) would be more efficient...in my opinion...obviously not that of HP.

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         relacheposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Given that it used to be that way and then that feature was dismantled... Quite possibly yes.
         
         And it's not hodgepodge, it's based on what you've created most recently or updated.

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         1. 80

            JayeWisdomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            You're right--"hodgepodge" isn't an accurate term. I just believe that grouping hubs into categories on the profile screen is more efficient and "reader-friendly" than the current system.

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      2. 86

         rebekahELLEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         You don't need to add all six links to the new hub.  You can use 2-3 textual links to keep your reader linking to other related hubs, in which you do the same (with different related links). You can use one central hub (theme) to link your hubs together.  It can boost not just one page in ranking, but can boost others as well.  Perhaps a small percentage of readers will click on to read more, but those views can be beneficial if the reader decides to share a link.  We want quality, relevant links pointing to our hubs.

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         1. 80

            JayeWisdomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks, Rebakah. Your explanation is helpful.

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3. 61

   logoquizposted 11 years ago

   This is the first i've heard(seen) about groups?
   Anychance someone has an explanation of what they are or how to use it? or maybe a link to an explanation?
   Seems like an interesting concept, is it a way of linking your own hubs together or do you link it with other hubbers?

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   1. 86

      Millionaire Tipsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You group your own hubs together on the accounts page
      
      http://hubpages.com/my/hubs/groups
      
      (you can also group each individual hub)
      http://hubpages.com/learningcenter/usin … d_22634286
      
      When you group your hubs, they show up as links on the bottom of the hub. They show up in order, so the hub above the current hub in the group is shown on the left and the hub below the current hub in the group is shown on the right.

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      1. 80

         JayeWisdomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I checked some of the hubs in one of my groups, and at the bottom of each, there are two links for other hubs I've placed in the group--the previous and the next one published. Below those two links is a box with links to hubs about similar topics published by other people on HP.
         
         My thinking is that if I have six hubs in a group, all six links should be visible either grouped together on my profile screen or at the bottom of each hub in that group. I am obviously looking at this issue from my own perspective and not that of HubPages administration. And apparently no one else agrees with me. Haha!

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         1. 61

            stuff4kidsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I experimented with grouping hubs together under subject categories but now I put all my hubs into one group - that way, at the foot of all my hubs are at least two more of my hubs - and it has certainly helped traffic.

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   starme77posted 10 years ago

   I like the groups because they link all of your relevent articles together, for one it helps keep the readers with you and for two it is good because Google likes that

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